Why Exhibition Place might be the only logical choice for a waterfront casino

Speculation that Ontario Place might be the site of a future waterfront hotel casino complex was quashed by the province’s minister of tourism, culture and sport Wednesday. Michael Chan he agrees with the advice of an advisory panel looking into the future of the aging park that Ontario Place should be for all Ontarians, and not just casino patrons. But if the Liberal government and the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation remain intent on a waterfront casino in Toronto near the downtown core, and city council doesn’t insist otherwise, then what other sites remain? The National Post’s Kristin Annable looks at the Port Lands and Exhibition Place. (Because where else is there?)

Q: How much work would have to go into making the Port Lands a realistic site for a casino complex? A: A lot, especially if a future casino is large-scale, said Mike Williams, general manager of economic development and culture for the City of Toronto. “If it was to include hotels, shopping etc., there would need to be significant services that aren’t there now such as transit, transportation, bridges, flood protection, soil remediation — it’s a huge job.” All sites in the Port Lands have some degree of contamination and any development would require the remediation or replacement of soil, he said.

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Q: So that doesn’t sound likely, but let’s play ‘what if’ for a moment. The Port Lands is a huge tract of land — if a casino was to be placed there, where might it go? A: East of the Don Roadway and north of the shipping channel would be the best land to develop, Mr. Williams said, although he was quick to add that no area of the Port Lands has been zoned for a casino.

Q: What about the colossal, and abandoned, Hearn Generating Station? A: Mr. Williams didn’t rule it out completely. “There would be more work to make the Hearn building suitable. There is a temporary bridge that would need to be fixed, the road network would need to be fixed and water and sewage linkages would have to be checked,” he said. “The answer to that is I don’t know, but it’s not impossible”

Q: So what does Exhibition Place have that the Port Lands doesn’t? A: Pretty much everything. In terms of land — it is all ready and serviceable, said Diane Young, CEO of Exhibition Place. “Obviously the land has been highly serviced, the open areas right now are used to hold the old Exhibition grandstand, which seated 50,000 people. So the open area is serviced well,” she said. Public transportation to the area is also well established. “We obviously have 1.5 million people that come here during the 18-day fair.”

Q: So, what would make for a good layout for a casino? A: Either you use an existing entertainment precinct or you create one — and don’t expect to build a residential community around one, said John Campbell, CEO of Waterfront Toronto. And since Exhibition Place is an already established entertainment centre, it is the more obvious choice, he said. “A casino typically requires hotels and trade centres in order to be successful. Well guess what? It already has a trade centre and a hotel is coming there in September.”

Q: If Exhibition Place has the infrastructure, the land and the public transportation, why is the Port Lands even being discussed? A: If could just be a way to attract investors, said Mr. Campbell. “The Port Lands needs some catalyst in order to justify investment,” he said. “I think it is not because it is the best location for a casino to go, but if there is something out there to justify having a third party put in the infrastructure to make it flood protected, provide sewer water, roads, etc.”